Is There a Rs 70,800 Crore Scam in Bihar Involving the NDA Government?
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Synopsis
Pawan Khera's explosive allegations against the NDA government in Bihar concerning a Rs 70,877 crore scam have raised serious questions about fiscal transparency and governance. With the CAG report highlighting major irregularities, will this scandal impact the upcoming Assembly elections?
Key Takeaways
- Pawan Khera alleges a Rs 70,877 crore scam in Bihar.
- The NDA government is accused of financial mismanagement.
- 10 major departments failed to submit Utilisation Certificates.
- The CAG report highlights significant discrepancies in fund utilization.
- The upcoming Assembly elections may be affected by these allegations.
Patna, July 30 (NationPress) Seasoned Congress leader and the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department, Pawan Khera, vehemently criticized the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar, claiming a staggering Rs 70,877 crore scam following disclosures in the latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
During a press briefing at the state party headquarters located in Patna's Sadaqat Ashram, Khera characterized the alleged discrepancies as not merely a state-level issue, but rather a 'national scam', asserting that funds from the Central government were also implicated.
He accused the double-engine government of financial mismanagement, asserting that Utilisation Certificates (UCs) for funds earmarked under significant government schemes had not been submitted by as many as 10 major departments of the Bihar government.
Khera presented department-specific figures from the CAG report, alleging Rs 28,154 crore in Panchayati Raj, Rs 12,623 crore in Education, Rs 11,065 crore in Urban Development, Rs 7,800 crore in Rural Development, Rs 2,107 crore in Agriculture, Rs 1,397 crore in Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe Welfare, Rs 941 crore in Social Welfare, Rs 911 crore in Backward and Extremely Backward Welfare, Rs 860 crore in Health, and Rs 804 crore in the Cooperative Department.
“These departments have failed to provide UCs, indicating a lack of evidence regarding the actual usage of funds. This raises serious concerns about misappropriation and extensive corruption,” he stated.
Khera further claimed that corruption has become institutionalized under the current NDA government in Bihar, alleging that senior Ministers, bureaucrats, and officials have a 'fixed commission of 50 percent'.
He emphasized that the CAG's role is to audit all government departments, and the failure to submit UCs clearly suggests fund diversion or misuse.
Pointing out fiscal inefficiency, Khera claimed that over the last five years, the Bihar government has been unable to spend Rs 3,59,667 crore from its own state budget.
“Bihar continues to grapple with unemployment, mass migration, inadequate education, and poor healthcare, yet the state government is incapable of utilizing allocated funds. This is not mere incompetence — this is deliberate corruption,” the veteran Congress leader alleged.
He also accused the Centre of being complicit by failing to demand accountability despite being aware of the status of Central fund disbursement.
The allegations arise just days after the CAG report for Financial Year 2023-24 highlighted delays in UC submissions by the Bihar government.
While the NDA government has brushed it off as a 'routine accounting matter', the Opposition has exploited the issue as proof of misgovernance and corruption.
As political tensions escalate ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, the matter of fund utilization and fiscal transparency is poised to remain a significant point of contention between the NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc.
Point of View
Our stance remains steadfast in advocating for transparency and accountability in governance. The allegations raised by Pawan Khera highlight critical issues of fiscal management and corruption that warrant thorough investigation and public scrutiny.
NationPress
31/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rs 70,877 crore scam allegation about?
Pawan Khera alleges that the NDA government in Bihar has mismanaged funds amounting to Rs 70,877 crore, as revealed in a recent CAG report.
How many departments are involved in this alleged scam?
According to Khera, 10 major departments of the Bihar government failed to submit Utilisation Certificates for allocated funds.
What are the consequences of not submitting Utilisation Certificates?
The lack of submitted Utilisation Certificates raises concerns about potential fund misappropriation and corruption within the government.
What is the CAG's role in this issue?
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is responsible for auditing government departments, and their report indicated significant discrepancies in fund utilization in Bihar.
How has the NDA government responded to these allegations?
The NDA government has dismissed the allegations as a 'routine accounting matter', while the opposition sees it as evidence of misgovernance.
